DLNR NEWS RELEASE: Changes to Makapu’u trail closures

HONOLULU – Due to the complex nature of the road repaving work and some weather delays in construction, the DLNR Division of State Parks is modifying the closure dates for the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail in Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline.

The trail will continue to be closed weekdays from Thursday, September 24 through Friday, October 2. These additional closure days are needed to complete the removal of the existing asphalt road, lay the gravel base course, and repave the one-mile long road.

The trail will be open on the weekend of September 26-27. People are encouraged to check the State Parks website (http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp) for updates and changes to the schedule of park closures.

The new schedule for the trail closures is as follows:

– Thursday, September 24 through Friday, September 25

– Monday, September 28 through Friday, October 2

During trail closures, visitors will not be able to access the parking lot or trail. However the parking lot and trail will be open during regular park hours on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays; 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.).

Heavy machinery is working on the narrow road and large trucks are continually moving up and down it to remove old asphalt and to bring in new paving materials. Work continues on the new lookouts and the uppermost lookout will remained closed until the renovations are completed.

“We apologize for these additional closures but have been able to accommodate the public’s use of the trail during much of the construction work. For safety, we must continue to close the trail during the road paving work,” said Curt Cottrell, State Parks Administrator.

The project will not affect the Makapu‘u Lookout along Kalaniana‘ole Highway. The Kaiwi shoreline will remain open during the project but during the trail closures, people must enter from the Sandy Beach end of the park, as the parking lot for the Makapu‘u Trail will be closed.